Drosera prolifera

Drosera prolifera

Drosera prolifera is a species of the genus Sundew ( Drosera ) within the family of sundew plants ( Droseraceae ). This carnivorous plant is native only in four spatially limited areas in the northeast of the Australian state of Queensland.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Drosera prolifera is a terrestrial growing, perennial and herbaceous plant with fibrous roots, the main stem of the plant is approximately 1-2 cm high. Up to 15 sheets stand together in basal rosettes. The petioles are 15-45 mm long. The kidney-shaped leaf blades have a diameter of 10-20 mm. The relatively short tentacles but a strong glue from whose production apparently consumes a lot of energy: Thus, the nocturnal oxygen consumption of the tentacles of the leaf blades exceeds the seven-fold. The formation of unusually large format spreading (as in Dr. schizandra and Dr. adelae the case) gives the type will have certain advantages: leaching of their own decaying leaves the plant recovers important nutrients.

From older leaves, which rest the ground after some time, often grow so-called Kindel (clones of the mother plant ). The plant also forms stolons ( such as strawberries) and root suckers of which also form new, identical to the mother plant seedlings.

Generative features

The inflorescence of Drosera prolifera is about 10-18 cm long and bears 4-8 flowers. The bracts are linear and 1-2 mm long; the pedicels are 3-5 mm long. The red petals are ovate 2.5-3 mm long.

After flowering, the inflorescences sink to the bottom and arise from the flowers within a few weeks of complete clones of the mother plant (similar to the stolons ).

Distribution and systematics

Drosera prolifera was first described in 1940 by Cyril Tenison White. Its distribution area is limited to the places Thornton Peak, Noah Creek and the flanks of the Roaring Meg Falls in the north of Queensland, as well as the Cape York. There, the plant grows on the banks of streams and forms veritable carpets. However, it also grows on rocks in the local rainforests. The sites are protected and are protected from large-scale deforestation. Overall, only four small populations are known, its overall size is, however, unknown.

Drosera prolifera is considered "at risk". The menace of this rare species effect largely by illegal collecting.